Extractor mechanisms for guns

ABSTRACT

An extractor mechanisms for automatic guns having a sliding breech mechanism, in which an extractor claw carried on a beam extending transversely across the breech face and pivoted on an axis parallel to but offset from the gun axis is moved across the breech face into engagement with the spent cartridge case as the breech opens and recoils with the gun, the extractor thereafter being retained, with the spent case, by a spring catch, as the gun runs out, to effect extraction of the case from the gun.

United States Patent 1 Brint 1 Jan. 16, 1973 [54] EXTRACTOR MECHANISMS FOR [56] References Cited GUNS UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventor: Norman Trevor Brint, Waltham Ab- 1,525,065 2/1925 Browning ..89/167 X I bey, Essex, England 1,525,066 2/1925 Browning ..89/l67 [73] Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in m y mine S ephen C Bentley Her Britanni Maje t G Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman ment of the United Kingdom of GreatBritain and Northern Ireland, ABSTRACT London England An extractor mechanisms for automatic uns havin a g g sliding breech mechanism, in which an extractor claw [22] F'led: 1966 carried on a beam extending transversely across the [21] Ap l, No 594,312 breech face and pivoted on an axis parallel to but off- 1 set from the gun axis is moved across the breech face into engagement with the spent cartridge case as the [52] US. Cl. .89/l67, 89/47 breech opens and recons with the gun the extractor [51] Illt. Cl. ..F4lf 17/16 thereafter being retained, with the spent case, by a [5 8] Field of Search, ..89/33, 33.05, 45, 47, 162,

spring catch, as the gun runs out, to effect extraction of the case from the gun.

11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 16 1975 SHEET 2 [1F 6 Invent I'MW A orney:

PATENTEDJAH 16 I975 3. 7 1 O 684 SHEET 3 BF 6 37 I (E 39 I I EXTRACTOR MECHANISMS FOR GUNS This invention relates to extractor mechanisms for guns of the type having an automatic, sliding breech mechanism wherein a breech block slides transversely of the breech face and is operated, to open the breech, upon recoil of the gun relative to a cradle or mounting.

The invention comprises an extractor mechanism for a gun of the type specified, including an extractor which engages the spent cartridge case during recoil of the gun after firing and recoils with the gun; the extractor being retained, with the said case, in a rearward position during run out of the gun, thereby effecting extraction of the case from the breech. Retention of the extractor may be achieved quite simply, for example, by means of a spring catch.

In a preferred form, the extractor also performs the function of a rammer, in which case it is arranged to recoil with the gun, against the action of a rammer return spring, to its rearward position where it is retained while the gun runs out to effect extraction and while a new round of ammunition is inserted into the extractor in place of the spent cartridge case. Release of the extractor then permits it to be driven forward by the rammer return spring to ram the new round into the chamber of the weapon. The extractor can conveniently be released from its restraint by the actionof inserting the new round, for example by arranging for the round or some part of a loading mechanism to engage and release the spring catch previously referred to. It is further convenient to use the ramming of the new round into the chamber to release the breech block retaining latch which is normally provided to hold the breech block open during reloading, whereby the breech closes automatically after ramming the new round.

The extractor may be moved into engagement with the spent cartridge case, as or after the breech is opened, by spring pressure. It is, however, preferred that this movement be brought about by positive engagement of the extractor by the breech block which, as it opens, pulls the extractor into engagement with the case. With this last arrangement, it is convenient to achieve primary extraction, or loosening, of the case by means of wedge action between cam faces, or ramps, on the breech block and extractor, which cam faces, or ramps, interact, toward the end of the opening movement of the breech block, to move the extractor away from the breech face.

A combined extractor and rammer mechanism, being one example of a mechanism in accordance with the invention, will now be more particularly described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

F IG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section of the breech end of a gun showing the extractor in engagement with a spent case,

FIG. 2 is a vertical axial section of the breech end of a gun and its cradle showing the extractor in its rearward position,

FIG. 3 is a transverse section on the line IIIIII of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing an alternative extractor beam arrangement,

FIGS. 5 and 6 are-diagrammatic views on a larger scale showing the interaction between breech block and extractor in the early stages of recoil,

FIGS. 7 and 8 are fragmentary sections of the extractor beam, at slightly different times, taken on the lin VII-VII of FIG. 6, and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view showing an alternative extractor mounting.

The extractor/rammer mechanism is associated with a gun I which is provided, in known manner, with a which engage in grooves 6 in the upper and lower faces of the breech recess 3 to retain the breech block 2 therein. The breech opening mechanism, which does not form part of this invention and has therefore been omitted for the sake of clarity, is of a type which operates automatically during recoil of the gun, which takes place relative to a cradle 7' carried on a suitable mounting.

Mounted above the breech ring 4, vertically above the gun axis, is a tubular slide 8 parallel to the gun axis and having, at each end, a bracket 9, 9a, which engages in two grooves 10 of a guideway, also parallel to the gun axis, carried by the cradle 7. In the rear end of the tubular slide 8 is mounted an extractor pivot tube 11, rotatably axially in the slide 8. [Extending downward from this pivot tube 11, rearward of the breech face, is a beam 12 carrying, near its lower end, an extractor web 13 which extends forwardly toward the breech face and terminates in a claw l4 shaped to engaged the rim or groove at the base of a cartridge case 15. Mounted on the cradle 7 at a point rearward of and axially aligned with the'tubular slide 8 is a guide rod'16 which extends forwardly from its mounting point through the extractor pivot tube 11, its forward end being supported in the cradle'7. Coiled around the guide rod 16 and extending through the pivot tube 11 into the tubular slide 8, is a helical rammer return spring 17 whose rear end abuts upon a bush 18 in which the guide rod is mounted and whose forward end abuts against a flange 19 extending radially inward at the forward end of the tubular slide 8. The extractor beam 12 is urged toward the vertical position by a torsional extractor spring 20 coiled around the pivot tube 1 1 within the tubular slide 8, its ends being anchored, respectively, in the pivot tube 11 and the tubular slide 8. Alternatively, the same object may be attained (as shown in FIG. 4) by means of a small, helical, extractor spring 21 in compression between the beam 12 and an anchorage 21a on that side of the rear bracket 9 of the tubular slide 8 which is remote from the open position of the breech block 2. Rotary movement beyond the vertical position is prevented by the abutment, in the vertical position of the beam 12, of a lateral projection 22, carried by the beam, .with the underside of the said rear bracket 9 (FIG. 4) or by abutment of the beam 12 with a projection 23 on the bracket (FIG. 3).

When the breech is closed, engagement of the extractor web 13 by the breech block. 2 causes the extractor to rotate against the extractor spring 20, 21, about the axis of the pivot tube 11, moving the web 13 and claw 14 to one side of the breech (FIG, 5). The following description of the interaction between the breech block 2 and the extractor beam 12, to bring the extractor claw 14 into engagement with the spent cartridge case, is best understood by reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

The breech block 2 has a pair of extensions 24, 25, near each of its upper and lower edges respectively, on that side of the block 2 adjacent the extractor web 13. The lower extension 25 is provided with a rearwardly extending step 26 which, in the breech closed position, lies beyond a coacting, forwardly. extending step 27 carried by the extractor beam 12. When the breech opens during recoil of the gun 1, the extractor is pulled across the breech face by the breech block 2 as a consequence of the engagement of the aforesaid steps 26, 27. Making use of the fact that the step 26 on the breech block extension 25 moves rectilinearly and horizontally across the breech face while, since the extractor is pivoted above the breech, the step 27 on the beam 12 moves in an arc and has a downward component of displacement; the steps 26, 27 are arranged to disengage, by relative vertical movement, when the extractor beam 12 is substantially vertical and the extractor claw 14 has gripped the cartridge case 15. Thereafter, during a small, further opening movement of the breech block 2, inclined ramps 28 on the breech block extensions 24, 25 engage corresponding ramps 29 on the extractor beam 12 to lift the extractor axially away from the breech face (FlG. 7) to effect primary extraction, or loosening, of the cartridge case 15. The

. maximum lateral displacement of the' breech block 2 is arranged to be insufficient for the ramps 28, 29 to override one another and the small return movement of the and spent cartridge case rearward and compressing the I rammer return spring 17 until, near the end of the recoil movement, a spring catch is set to intercept the extractor beam 12 as run out begins. The spring catch, which is mounted below the path of the extractor beam 12, comprises an upwardly projecting detent 31 pivoted on a pin 32 which extends through a slot 33 in a barrel 34 whose axis is below and parallel to that of the gun 1. The detent 31 can pivot about the pin 32, against the action of a spring 35, when engaged by the extractor beam 12 on the recoil stroke. The extractor beam 12 thus passes to the rear of the detent 31 which springs upward to intercept the beam as the'gun 1 runs out thus extracting the spent case 15. The gun then runs out to the normal firing position leaving the extractor, which at this pointtakes over the role of rammer,.cocked" on the spring catch with the rammer return spring 17 under compression. The barrel 34 is rotatable about its axis and is urged to the position shown, with the detent 31 vertical, by a spring 36 acting in torsion. At the forward end, the barrel carries a prong 37 having an upper cam surface extending slightly above the barrel 34. The insertion of a new round a of ammunition into the extractor claw 14, which operation may be carried out by any suitable loading means generally indicated at 38 p but not forming part of the present invention and therefore not described here in detail, is arranged to release the extractor, for example by knocking the spring catch off due to impact by the new round 15a, or some part of a loading device such as a loading tray 39, with the prong 37 to rotate the spring catch about the axis of its barrel 34 (clockwise in FIG. 3) to release the extractor beam 12, whereafter the extractor/rammer is driven forward by the rammer return spring 17 to ram the new round 15a into the chamber, at the same time releasing the breech block retaining latch 30. The breech block 2 then closed under the action of breech block return springs (not shown) and, in so doing, engages the exfrom the new round 15a and is moved sideways and up-- ward across the breech face to the position (FIG. 5) occupied before firing. The spring 36 in the barrel 34 of the spring catch can also act in compression so that the detent 31 can move rearwardly, within the limits of the slot 33, when engaged by the lower part of the breech ring 4 which follows closely behind the extractor beam 12 during the recoil stroke. Thisallows some latitude in the permissible length of recoil which will of course be subject to round to round variations.

It will be clear that many modifications may be made to this device without departing from the scope of the invention. One modified construction which may be. more convenient in some applications involves the replacement of the forward bracket 9a of the tubular slide 8 by a fixed bearing in which a slightly modified tubular slide 8a is longitudinally movable. This bearing may consist of a bore 40, parallel to the gun axis, in the breech ring 4 (as shown in FIG. 9) or an extension thereof or in the cradle or an attachment thereto. The

breech latch and extractor retaining catch will clearly, be of a form dictated by the construction of other parts of the gun as also will the precise arrangement of steps and ramps on the breech block extensions and the extractor beam.

I claim:

1. An extractor mechanism for extracting the spent cartridge case from a gun of the-type having an automatic sliding breech mechanism wherein a breech block slides transversely of the breech face and isactuated, to open the breech, upon recoil of the gun relative to a mounting, said mechanism comprising:

an extractor arranged to recoil with the gun and incorporating a beam extending transversely across the breech face and pivoted about an axis parallel to and offset from the gun axis and an extractor claw carried by said beam,

means for constraining said beam to pivot about said axis as the breech opens thereby moving the claw across thebreech face following the movement'of the breech block to engage the spent cartridge wherein the extractor also functions as a rammer; there being provided a rammer return spring, operative between the extractor and a fixed portion of the mounting and against the action of which the extractor recoils to its rearward position where it is retained until a new round of ammunition is substituted for the spent case, whereafter release of the extractor permits its forward movement under the action of the rammer return spring, to ram the new round into the breech.

4. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 1 having, associated, therewith, an automatic loading mechanism for inserting the new round of ammunition; and means, actuable by said loading mechanism for releasing the extractor from its rearward position.

5. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 1 having, associated therewith, a breech block retaining catch releasable, to initiate closing of the breech, by the ramming of the new round into the breech.

6. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 1 incorporating a slide in which the extractor is mounted; and a guideway parallel to and offset from the gun axis and fixed relative to the mounting in which guideway the slide moves as the gun recoils.

7. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 1 incorporating means for positive engagement between the extractor and the breech block, as the latter opens, to pull the extractor into engagement with the spent cartridge case.

8. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 7 incorporating corresponding cam faces carried respectively by the extractor and the breech block and positioned so as to interact, toward the end of the opening movement of the breech block, to move the extractor away from the breech face sufficiently to loosen the spent case from the breech.

9. An extractor mechanism for extracting a spent cartridge case from and ramming a new round into a gun of the type having an automatic sliding breech mechanism wherein a breech block slides transversely of the breech face and is actuated, to open the breech, upon recoil of the gun relative to a mounting; said extractor mechanism comprising am extractor slidable rearwardly in a guideway in the mounting as the gun recoils, said extractor incorporating a beam extending transversely across the breech face and pivoted upon an axis parallel to and offset from the gun axis, and an extractor claw carried by said beam; means carried by the breech block for positive engagement with the extractor for constraining the beam to rotate about its pivot as the breech opens whereby the claw is moved across the breech face to engage the spent cartridge case; a rammer return spring operative between the extractor and the mounting against the action of which spring the extractor recoils; a spring catch for retaining the extractor, with the spent case, in a rearward position as the gun runs out to extract the case; means for releasing the extractor from said catch after substitution of a new round for the spent case where after the extractor moves forward under the action of the rammer spring to ram the new round into the breech.

10. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 9 having at least one rearwardly projecting step carried by the breech block; at least one: corresponding, forwardly projecting step carried by the extractor beam said steps being arranged to engage, as the breech opens, to pull the extractor claw across the breech face into en agement with the spent case.

11. n extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 9 having corresponding cam faces carried respectively by the breech block and the extractor beam which cam faces are arranged to interact, after engagement of the spent case by the extractor claw, to move the extractor axially away from the breech face to effect primary extraction. 

1. An extractor mechanism for extracting the spent cartridge case from a gun of the type having an automatic sliding breech mechanism wherein a breech block slides transversely of the breech face and is actuated, to open the breech, upon recoil of the gun relative to a mounting, said mechanism comprising: an extractor arranged to recoil with the gun and incorporating a beam extending transversely across the breech face and pivoted about an axis parallel to and offset from the gun axis and an extractor claw carried by said beam, means for constraining said beam to pivot about said axis as the breech opens thereby moving the claw across the breech face following the movement of the breech block to engage the spent cartridge case, and means for retaining the extractor, with said case, in a rearward position during run out of the gun to effect extraction of the case from the breech.
 2. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for retaining the extractor in its rearward position comprises a spring catch.
 3. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the extractor also functions as a rammer; there being provided a rammer return spring, operative between the extractor and a fixed portion of the mounting and against the action of which the extractor recoils to its rearward position where it is retained until a new round of ammunition is substituted for the spent case, whereafter release of the extractor permits its forward movement under the action of the rammer return spring, to ram the new round into the breech.
 4. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 1 having, associated, therewith, an automatic loading mechanism for inserting the new round of ammunition; and means, actuable by said loading mechanism for releasing the extractor from its rearward position.
 5. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 1 having, associated therewith, a breech block retaining catch releasable, to initiate closing of the breech, by the ramming of the new round into the breech.
 6. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 1 incorporating a slide in which the extractor is mounted; and a guideway parallel to and offset from the gun axis and fixed relative to the mounting in which guideway the slide moves as the gun recoils.
 7. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 1 incorporating means for positive engagement between the extractor and the breech block, as the latter opens, to pull the extractor into engagement with the spent cartridge case.
 8. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 7 incorporating corresponding cam faces carried respectively by the extractor and the breech block and positioned so as to interact, toward the end of the opening movement of the breech Block, to move the extractor away from the breech face sufficiently to loosen the spent case from the breech.
 9. An extractor mechanism for extracting a spent cartridge case from and ramming a new round into a gun of the type having an automatic sliding breech mechanism wherein a breech block slides transversely of the breech face and is actuated, to open the breech, upon recoil of the gun relative to a mounting; said extractor mechanism comprising an extractor slidable rearwardly in a guideway in the mounting as the gun recoils, said extractor incorporating a beam extending transversely across the breech face and pivoted upon an axis parallel to and offset from the gun axis, and an extractor claw carried by said beam; means carried by the breech block for positive engagement with the extractor for constraining the beam to rotate about its pivot as the breech opens whereby the claw is moved across the breech face to engage the spent cartridge case; a rammer return spring operative between the extractor and the mounting against the action of which spring the extractor recoils; a spring catch for retaining the extractor, with the spent case, in a rearward position as the gun runs out to extract the case; means for releasing the extractor from said catch after substitution of a new round for the spent case where after the extractor moves forward under the action of the rammer spring to ram the new round into the breech.
 10. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 9 having at least one rearwardly projecting step carried by the breech block; at least one corresponding, forwardly projecting step carried by the extractor beam said steps being arranged to engage, as the breech opens, to pull the extractor claw across the breech face into engagement with the spent case.
 11. An extractor mechanism as claimed in claim 9 having corresponding cam faces carried respectively by the breech block and the extractor beam which cam faces are arranged to interact, after engagement of the spent case by the extractor claw, to move the extractor axially away from the breech face to effect primary extraction. 